He added that this was imperative because based on a meeting he had with the state’s mufti department a few years back, it was apparent that some members of its fatwa committee did not have an in-depth understanding of several issues concerning Islam, Malay Mail Online (MMO) reported.
Wan Ji was commenting on a survey being carried out by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) for Muslims in the state.
The survey concerns non-mainstream Islamic teachings among Muslims, according to Selangor Executive Councillor for Religious Affairs Ahmad Yunus Hairi, who shared the survey link on his Facebook page last Monday.
“Jais should be increasing its knowledge in the Sunni denomination through debates, talks and engagement with other branches (of Islam). It seems like Jais and the mufti’s department are more inclined towards punishing those who differ in opinion and teachings.
“In my view, Jais’ approach should not be a punitive one, but one which preaches and moves forward in strengthening knowledge,” Wan Ji, 32, was quoted as saying by the news portal.
Wan Ji, who heads the religious bureau in PKR’s Youth wing, was previously reported as saying that the different interpretations of Islam had caused Muslims of different sects to feel unease. He cited the situation in Iran where the Sunni sect feared discrimination, while in Malaysia, the Shias were uncomfortable.
“That is also a form of discrimination. Islam says to be just but where is the justice,” he added.
Wan Ji also called for Jais to work on creating a harmonious relationship with people of other faiths, instead of creating prejudice among Malaysians over differences in opinion, teachings and religion.
Meanwhile, Yunus said the survey, titled “Research on the faith of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah followers among Muslims in Selangor”, hopes to monitor and gather feedback on the spread of non-mainstream Islamic teachings among Muslims.
Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah is the term used to refer to Muslims who follow Sunni teachings.
According to MMO, he said the data collated may be used in future for legal cases.
“The main purpose of this survey is to assess the understanding of Muslims about Sunni teachings. The research and development division, and the enforcement division of Jais are always monitoring, and there is proof of the spread of teachings besides Sunni in Selangor.
“The prosecution division of Jais can take it to court when there is proof of the spread of deviant teachings or Islamic teachings besides what is practised in Selangor,” Yunus was quoted as saying by MMO.
The survey requires respondents to answer 11 questions, each with multiple choice answers, to test their knowledge of Sunni Islam.
Jais Director Haris Kasim confirmed that his department was carrying out such a survey, but refused to explain what would be done with the data compiled.
“This is a study, yes? Study is to gain enlightenment, which is knowledge. Knowledge is for guidance. Guidance has a lot of uses, there is not one form of knowledge which is of no use,” he said, according to MMO.